Thesis (M.S.)--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2004. / Typescript. Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Daniel P. Heil. Includes bibliographical references (p. 124-129).

As trepadeiras apresentam uma grande diversidade de espécies e desempenham um importante papel no funcionamento dos ecossistemas, sobretudo em regiões tropicais. Evidências de que as trepadeiras lenhosas (lianas) estariam aumentando em dominância, trazendo sérias conseqüências para a dinâmica florestal, tornam o estudo de padrões de distribuição de espécies em diferentes escalas e de atributos associados às trepadeiras, temas de grande interesse na ecologia. No presente estudo, mostrou-se que as trepadeiras com raízes adesivas têm maior probabilidade de ocorrer em sítios com níveis mais elevados de precipitação e com menor estacionalidade de chuvas, o que contrasta com o padrão global conhecido para lianas. A diversidade e a distribuição de trepadeiras em regiões extratropicais também foram abordadas, considerando a região extratropical da América do Sul. As floras de áreas subtropicais e temperadas diferiram quanto à riqueza e à composição de espécies trepadeiras e quanto a atributos, tais como forma de crescimento e mecanismo de escalada. No sul do Brasil, uma caracterização mais detalhada da composição de espécies de trepadeiras foi realizada, corroborando a importância desse grupo em regiões extratropicais. Finalmente, em escala local, foi demonstrado que a probabilidade de ocorrência das espécies em certo hábitat é influenciada pelo tipo de mecanismo de escalada adotado. Considerando que espécies com o mesmo mecanismo apresentam tolerâncias e requerimentos ambientais semelhantes, a ação de filtros resulta em uma distribuição não randômica das guildas de escalada ao longo de hábitats distintos. Além da estrutura fenotípica, a estrutura filogenética das comunidades refletiu a ação de filtros sobre o mecanismo de escala. / Climbers are a diverse group of plants which plays an important role in ecosystems functioning, especially in tropical regions. Regarding the evidences that lianas are increasing in dominance with significant consequences for the forest dynamics, the study of patterns of distribution at different scales and climbing traits constitute relevant issues in plant ecology. At the present study, we showed that root-climbers have greater probability of occurrence at sites with higher precipitations and lower seasonality, which contrasts with the global pattern proposed for lianas. The diversity and distribution of climbing plants in extratropical regions were also addressed, concerning the extratropical region of South America. Subtropical and temperate areas differed as their species richness, taxonomic composition and attributes, such as growth form and climbing mechanism. In southern Brazil, the climbing flora composition was described in more detail, reinforcing the importance of this group of plants in extratropical regions. Finaly, at local scale, we showed that the species probability of occurrence in a habitat was associated to their climbing mechanism. Regarding that species which share the same climbing mechanism have similar tolerances and environmental requirements, the action of filters results in a non-random distribution of the climbing guilds across different habitats. Besides of the phenotypic structure, the community phylogenetic structure is also influenced by habitat filtering of climbing mechanisms.

As trepadeiras apresentam uma grande diversidade de espécies e desempenham um importante papel no funcionamento dos ecossistemas, sobretudo em regiões tropicais. Evidências de que as trepadeiras lenhosas (lianas) estariam aumentando em dominância, trazendo sérias conseqüências para a dinâmica florestal, tornam o estudo de padrões de distribuição de espécies em diferentes escalas e de atributos associados às trepadeiras, temas de grande interesse na ecologia. No presente estudo, mostrou-se que as trepadeiras com raízes adesivas têm maior probabilidade de ocorrer em sítios com níveis mais elevados de precipitação e com menor estacionalidade de chuvas, o que contrasta com o padrão global conhecido para lianas. A diversidade e a distribuição de trepadeiras em regiões extratropicais também foram abordadas, considerando a região extratropical da América do Sul. As floras de áreas subtropicais e temperadas diferiram quanto à riqueza e à composição de espécies trepadeiras e quanto a atributos, tais como forma de crescimento e mecanismo de escalada. No sul do Brasil, uma caracterização mais detalhada da composição de espécies de trepadeiras foi realizada, corroborando a importância desse grupo em regiões extratropicais. Finalmente, em escala local, foi demonstrado que a probabilidade de ocorrência das espécies em certo hábitat é influenciada pelo tipo de mecanismo de escalada adotado. Considerando que espécies com o mesmo mecanismo apresentam tolerâncias e requerimentos ambientais semelhantes, a ação de filtros resulta em uma distribuição não randômica das guildas de escalada ao longo de hábitats distintos. Além da estrutura fenotípica, a estrutura filogenética das comunidades refletiu a ação de filtros sobre o mecanismo de escala. / Climbers are a diverse group of plants which plays an important role in ecosystems functioning, especially in tropical regions. Regarding the evidences that lianas are increasing in dominance with significant consequences for the forest dynamics, the study of patterns of distribution at different scales and climbing traits constitute relevant issues in plant ecology. At the present study, we showed that root-climbers have greater probability of occurrence at sites with higher precipitations and lower seasonality, which contrasts with the global pattern proposed for lianas. The diversity and distribution of climbing plants in extratropical regions were also addressed, concerning the extratropical region of South America. Subtropical and temperate areas differed as their species richness, taxonomic composition and attributes, such as growth form and climbing mechanism. In southern Brazil, the climbing flora composition was described in more detail, reinforcing the importance of this group of plants in extratropical regions. Finaly, at local scale, we showed that the species probability of occurrence in a habitat was associated to their climbing mechanism. Regarding that species which share the same climbing mechanism have similar tolerances and environmental requirements, the action of filters results in a non-random distribution of the climbing guilds across different habitats. Besides of the phenotypic structure, the community phylogenetic structure is also influenced by habitat filtering of climbing mechanisms.

As trepadeiras apresentam uma grande diversidade de espécies e desempenham um importante papel no funcionamento dos ecossistemas, sobretudo em regiões tropicais. Evidências de que as trepadeiras lenhosas (lianas) estariam aumentando em dominância, trazendo sérias conseqüências para a dinâmica florestal, tornam o estudo de padrões de distribuição de espécies em diferentes escalas e de atributos associados às trepadeiras, temas de grande interesse na ecologia. No presente estudo, mostrou-se que as trepadeiras com raízes adesivas têm maior probabilidade de ocorrer em sítios com níveis mais elevados de precipitação e com menor estacionalidade de chuvas, o que contrasta com o padrão global conhecido para lianas. A diversidade e a distribuição de trepadeiras em regiões extratropicais também foram abordadas, considerando a região extratropical da América do Sul. As floras de áreas subtropicais e temperadas diferiram quanto à riqueza e à composição de espécies trepadeiras e quanto a atributos, tais como forma de crescimento e mecanismo de escalada. No sul do Brasil, uma caracterização mais detalhada da composição de espécies de trepadeiras foi realizada, corroborando a importância desse grupo em regiões extratropicais. Finalmente, em escala local, foi demonstrado que a probabilidade de ocorrência das espécies em certo hábitat é influenciada pelo tipo de mecanismo de escalada adotado. Considerando que espécies com o mesmo mecanismo apresentam tolerâncias e requerimentos ambientais semelhantes, a ação de filtros resulta em uma distribuição não randômica das guildas de escalada ao longo de hábitats distintos. Além da estrutura fenotípica, a estrutura filogenética das comunidades refletiu a ação de filtros sobre o mecanismo de escala. / Climbers are a diverse group of plants which plays an important role in ecosystems functioning, especially in tropical regions. Regarding the evidences that lianas are increasing in dominance with significant consequences for the forest dynamics, the study of patterns of distribution at different scales and climbing traits constitute relevant issues in plant ecology. At the present study, we showed that root-climbers have greater probability of occurrence at sites with higher precipitations and lower seasonality, which contrasts with the global pattern proposed for lianas. The diversity and distribution of climbing plants in extratropical regions were also addressed, concerning the extratropical region of South America. Subtropical and temperate areas differed as their species richness, taxonomic composition and attributes, such as growth form and climbing mechanism. In southern Brazil, the climbing flora composition was described in more detail, reinforcing the importance of this group of plants in extratropical regions. Finaly, at local scale, we showed that the species probability of occurrence in a habitat was associated to their climbing mechanism. Regarding that species which share the same climbing mechanism have similar tolerances and environmental requirements, the action of filters results in a non-random distribution of the climbing guilds across different habitats. Besides of the phenotypic structure, the community phylogenetic structure is also influenced by habitat filtering of climbing mechanisms.

Self-balancing robots are unique mobile platforms that stay upright on two wheels using a closed-loop control system. They can turn on the spot using differential steering and have compact form factors that limit their required floor space. However they have major limitations keeping them from being used in real world applications: they cannot stand-up on their own, climb stairs, or overcome obstacles. They can fall easily if hit or going onto a slippery surface because they rely on friction for balancing. The first part of this research proposes a novel design to address the above mentioned issues related to stair-climbing, standing-up, and obstacles. A single revolute joint is added to the centre of a four-wheel drive robot onto which an arm is attached, allowing the robot to successfully climb stairs and stand-up on its own from a single motion. A model and simulation of the balancing and stair-climbing process are derived, and compared against experimental results with a custom robot prototype. The second part, a control system for an inverted pendulum equipped with a gyroscopic mechanism, was investigated for integration into self-balancing robots. It improves disturbance rejection during balance, and keeps equilibrium on slippery surfaces. The model of a gyroscope mounted onto an actuated gimbal was derived and simulated. To prove the concept worked, a custom-built platform showed it is possible for a balancing robot to stay upright with zero traction under the wheels.

Rising up from a chair (sit-to-stand; STS) and stair climbing are both activities of daily living (ADLs) done throughout our lives. The ability to complete ADLs is crucial for independent living. The goal of this thesis was to research how two ADLs interact with each other and affect postural control. It was hypothesized that an increased number of flights of stairs climbed would lead to a decline in postural control during/after a STS in older more than younger adults. Fourteen older adults and fourteen young adults were tested by completing three STSs before and after climbing 1, 3 and 5 flights of stairs, chosen at random. Movements of the center of pressure (COP) for each STS were obtained from a force platform. Only an age effect was found for COP velocity (left-right and anterior-posterior directions) during the momentum transfer phase, during stabilization and after stabilization. Therefore, contrary to our hypothesis, stair climbing did not lead to significant changes in COP movements during and following a STS.

We present the design and fabrication of a prototype wall-climbing vehicle employing a unique combined locomotion and adhesion system in which the adhesive vacuum is transmitted through moving, perforated treads. Implementing the adhesion/drive system involved a broad range of design challenges, including: developing reliable sealing of sliding and static interfaces, understanding the frictional interactions between the drive treads and various vehicle components and surfaces on which they ride, as well as designing for lightness, manufacturability, and adjustability. The clean sheet design presented in this thesis was taken from concept to functioning prototype in less than 6 months, requiring a considered mix of off-the-shelf components, custom fabrication, and outsourced production. Proof of concept testing is reviewed, including static pressure and force results as well as dynamic vertical surface maneuverability trials.

<div><div><div><p>The present study contributes to our understanding of the effects of age and type of linguistic input in the acquisition of Spanish as a second language in adulthood. I examine the Spanish syntax (word order) of three groups of speakers, monolingual Spanish speakers from Mexico and two bilingual English-Spanish speakers born and raised in the United States (N = 53) to measure the effects of an early, oral-based versus a late, written-based exposure to the target language. Results from a sentence completion task show comparable behavior across all groups in the four verb conditions, with a strong tendency to favor the no climbing (enclisis) option, and a proficiency effect among the experimental groups. Results of an acceptability judgment task show comparable behavior across all groups, accepting grammatical proclitic placement and rejecting ungrammatical sentences with climbing. Neither proficiency or group effects were found in this task, although the judgments of the experimental groups were less categorical compared to the native speakers’. The combined results of these two tasks point to an absence of age or input effects in the L2 acquisition of this syntactic phenomenon in Spanish. </p></div></div></div>

The following thesis deals with consequences of human activities at rock sites, aiming to address issues related to the popularity of this sport. Using all available analytical data I determined most suitable locations to serve as an alternative to current overcrowded sites. Consequently, for experimental use of architectonical tools, I selected an area near Brno, namely: Veveří, Amálka, Sokolí rocks, rocks at Řikonína, Sochorka, Nedvědice, Vysoká rock at Štěpánov and Bohuňovské rocks. In order to link all those sites I proposed a building of adventurous disposition which wouldn’t rival the rocks themselves but rather emphasize their atmosphere. In the end I picked a bivouac, hung in treetops, to fulfil that role. The character of said building allows for its set ups beyond the selected area as well. Additional buildings are linked to bivouac as well, creating a well functional group. As such, these buildings represent a symbol as they make other, less known and eroded sites more attractive to potential visitors.

No description available.